FOR the first time since Apple Day was launched nationally by Common Ground on October 21, 1990, Carhampton moved to an earlier date this year to avoid date-clashes and to benefit from the earlier ripening of the fruit.

So there was apple-juicing, picking and sampling in the Community Orchard on Saturday October 12.

Fruit, juice, preserves and other goods were on sale in the Village Hall, and the new Heritage Centre in the Recreation Hall hosted an exhibition entitled Apples, Orchards and Cider.

Of the 6000 known varieties of apple in Britain, Carhampton Community Orchard can boast 36, and 17 of them were on display and for sale in the Village Hall.

The organisers hailed the whole day as “a triumph of co-operation” between orchard, village and Recreation Hall workers.

More photos and the full story in tomorrow’s Free Press.